The Bible and DecisionMaking V

Proverbs 22:17-19

Recap• We must take the necessary first

step of FAITH; TRUST the Bible to be God’s Word.

• This is more a matter of Lordship than scholarship.

• There are good scholarly reasons to trust God’s Word.

Recap • Four Building Blocks of Confidence

– The Bible is Uniquely Powerful.– The Bible is Beautifully Preserved.– The Bible is Archaeologically

Affirmed.– The Bible is Prophetically Accurate.

Recap• The Move Toward Biblical Living

1. The Spiritual Qualification: NEW BIRTH

2. The Practical DisciplinesA. Hearing the WordB. Reading the Word

2. The Practical DisciplinesC. Memorizing the Word

– It isn’t just for children.

– We give excuses for not trying.

– We view it like a root canal.

2. The Practical DisciplinesC. Memorizing Scripture

1. Jesus memorized Scripture and found it useful.

– Matthew 4:4,7,10

– Memorizing Scripture is preparation for life.

2. The Practical DisciplinesC. Memorizing Scripture

2. You can memorize Scripture.

– It is a matter of discipline.

– Dawson Trotman

2. The Practical DisciplinesD. Meditate on the Word

• Joshua 1:8– Promise of Spiritual Success.

• Christian meditation is unlike eastern meditation.

• Eastern meditation is an emptying of the mind; Christian meditation is a filling of the mind and heart.

2. The Practical DisciplinesD. Meditate on the Word

• Christian meditation means that we learn to think deeply about and focus upon the truth of God.

• “The reason we come away so cold from reading the Word is, because we do not warm ourselves at the fire of meditation.”

• Psalm 39:3

Example of Meditation• “Enemies”

• Matthew 5:43-48– What is the timeless truth

of principle?– Is this timeless?

– Is this a command?– Pray through the text.

Example of Meditation• Enemies

– Are there other Scriptures directly addressing this subject? (Romans 12:17-21)

– Why Is God Wise In Commanding This of Me?

Example of Meditation• “Enemies”

– Why Is God Wise?• His kindness toward me

when I was His enemy brought repentance. (Romans 2:4)

• Enemies may need to be redeemed: e.g. (Paul)

Example of Meditation• Why Is God Wise?

– He forgave me; how can I withhold forgiveness? Matthew 6:12,14

– He will do the right thing in justice (Rom.12)

– Anger, lack of forgiveness, hatred only scars and hardens me more. (James 1:20)